OUR KEYS TO                                                             

                                                                                                                  COMMUNICATION IS KEY

Who is a Speech/Language Pathologist (SLP)?

• A speech/language pathologist is a highly trained individual who can assess and provide therapy to a student with a communication disorder.  I have been working for over 25 years in the public school system and am licensed by the State of Connecticut Health Department and the Department of Education.  I have earned my masters and certificate of advanced graduate studies in communication disorders.  I am certified by the American Speech Language Hearing Association.  A SLP works within the school curriculum to assist students who may:

• have difficulty expressing themselves orally
• have difficulty understanding information
• have speech (articulation) difficulties
• struggle with vocabulary and concepts 
• find higher level language to be a challenge
• have a voice disorder
• have a fluency disorder (stutter)
  

Speech/Language Pathologists work with a student to assist him or her with areas of weakness, build areas of strength, and learn successful strategies.  We work closely with the student's teachers and pupil service personnel.  The "total package" approach encourages a successful student!  Stafford Middle School's focus is to provide the right educational experience for every student.

Parents frequently ask me how their child will be identified as a student with a speech/language or hearing impairment.        
                                         When?       

                          What?       Who?              What?                                                                    
                                           Why?                           How?

• student is referred to a Child Study Team by their teacher or parent
• team collects data and recommends accommodations/modifications
• team reconvenes and assesses improvement and/or continued needs, which leads to two alternative approaches  -

• PPT is convened and testing, observation, and record review may be recommended
• information is gathered, testing is completed, medical documentation is secured where necessary
• PPT reconvenes (within 45 days) to review evaluations and determine eligibility
• if a student is found to be eligible, placement decisions are made
• goals and objectives are formulated by the PPT
• student receives recommended services and program is reviewed annually
• student is reevaluated every third year with a focus on continued eligibility                                                            
  

                                                                                                  

•  You will be invited to attend a PPT (Planning and Placement Team meeting) to formulate goals and objectives.  
• Other members attending this meeting will be a school administrator, a special education teacher, a regular education teacher, and the speech/language pathologist.  
• The school nurse, social worker, guidance counselor, and school psychologist are other members of the SMS staff who might take part in this meeting.   
• Your input is extremely important  in planning an effective program. You may bring any person you would like to a meeting, especially if they can offer pertinent information on the child.  You are also encouraged to share medical information which may be impacting your child's school performance. 

Your child's IEP has been custom designed to assist him in the middle school environment. You may see that the goals and objectives have been designed to:

• expand expressive language skills, which will allow the student to become a more efficient oral communicator;
• build receptive language skills, which will allow the student to build his understanding of information;
• encourage direction following skills,which will allow the student to perform more efficiently in the classroom setting;
• enrich vocabulary development, which will allow the student to utilize a variety of new words related to his home, school, and world environment;
• build organizational strategies, which will allow the student to successfully function within his academic classes.

• refine articulation skills, which will allow the student to improve speech intelligibility;
• enhance fluency skills, which will allow the student to focus on utilizing self-help strategies;
• focus on vocal hygiene, which will allow the student to ameliorate voice disorders.
• assist with Central Auditory Processing Disorders (CAP-D);
• facilitate use of hearing aids and FM trainers.

Currently, speech and language services at Stafford Middle School are delivered primarily in the classroom setting.  However,  please check with your child's Case Manager, or refer to the IEP to determine which service delivery plan, or combination of delivery plans,is being  utilized.  The amount of time per week that your child receives is also determined by the PPT. 

HELPFUL LINKS
CLICK ON THESE WEBSITES FOR MORE
INFORMATION ON SPEECH/LANGUAGE
RESOURCES


http://www.asha.org/default.htm
(Resources from the American Speech/Language/Hearing Association)

http://www.schwablearning.org/
(Resources for Parents/educators of students with Learning Disabilities)

http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
(Resources for parents/educators of children with special needs.)

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